IMDb >
A Separate Peace (1972)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsA Separate Peace (1972) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 5 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Plot:
Gene and Finny are two boys who are best friends living in 1943, at the height of World War II. The... more | full synopsisUser Comments:
Mostly dull and depressing moreCast
(Credited cast)| John Heyl | ... | Finny | |
| Parker Stevenson | ... | Gene | |
| William Roerick | ... | Mr. Patchwithers | |
| Peter Brush | ... | Leper | |
| Victor Bevine | ... | Brinker | |
| Scott Bradbury | ... | Chet | |
| John E.A. Mackenzie | ... | Bobby | |
| Mark Trefethen | ... | John | |
| Frank Wilich Jr. | ... | Quackenbush | |
| Elizabeth B. Brewster | ... | Mrs. Patchwithers | |
| Edward Echols | ... | Mr. Ludsbury | |
| Don Schultz | ... | Dr. Stanpole | |
| Paul Sadler | ... | Naval Officer |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
Spain:104 min | USA:104 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Eastmancolor)Sound Mix:
MonoCertification:
USA:PGFilming Locations:
Exeter, New Hampshire, USAFun Stuff
Trivia:
With the exception of Parker Stevenson, most of the boys featured in the movie were real students at Phillips Exeter Academy where the movie was filmed. This includes John Heyl who played Finny. Heyl's Father was the school's on-site doctor. moreMovie Connections:
Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Teenage Caveman (#4.15)" (1991) moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for A Separate Peace (1972) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| A Separate Peace | Notes on a Scandal | If.... | The Outsiders | The Kite Runner |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |






I was disappointed. The source material was interesting, although overrated. So it had the potential to be a pretty good story. But this doesn't do it. Part of the problem was that they attempted to convey a late 60's - early 70's mood to a story that took place during World War II, and they did a poor job of capturing the time and place. Obviously, there are parallels to the Vietnam War for those who care to look for them, but that was not suited to this story. The plot is somewhat mysterious. Gene, a nerdy honor student, has become roommates with a handsome, charismatic jock named Finny, and becomes very enamored with him. To Gene's surprise, Finny seems equally devoted to him, but he can't figure out why. Partly as a result of that and the pressure to excel at school, he fears that Finney is plotting to undermine him academically, so when they are preparing to jump off of a large tree together, he makes a fateful and decision with devastating consequences. There is a message that the story tries to convey- perhaps about the competitive atmosphere of school, perhaps about the nature of friendship and devotion, or perhaps Gene thinking that no one would want to be friends with him without having an ulterior motive. And there are other possibilities as well. But the film never explores this in anything more than a superficial way. Because of the source material, there are some interesting scenes and some nice scenery, and the inexperienced cast does well enough. But it never gets the viewer all that interested in the story, even for fans of the novel.